Average
#1925 of 2,648 schools in NC
Swain County High School
High School · Swain County Schools
1415 Fontana Road, Bryson City, NC 28713
Enrollment
559
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
559
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,925 of 2,648
In Bryson City
#3 of 5
public schools
In district
#3 of 4
Swain County Schools
Equity
7.2 / 10
Very Good
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Swain County High School
High School in Bryson City · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cherokee Extension School
1.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Swain County Middle School
1.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Swain County High School
Swain County High School is a public high school in Bryson City, NC, part of Swain County Schools. Swain County High School serves approximately 559 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Swain County High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,925 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Swain County High School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.2 · Average
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Swain County High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
59% of students at Swain County High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Swain County High School — Students at Swain County High School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.7/10.
How Swain County High School Compares
See how Swain County High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1415 Fontana Road, Bryson City, NC 28713
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Swain County High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Jackson Co Early College (rated 7.9/10, 15.6 miles away, in nearby Sylva), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Smoky Mountain High School (rated 7.0/10, 15.9 miles away, in nearby Sylva), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bryson City, see our Bryson City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cherokee Extension School Bryson City | 1.6 mi | — |
| Swain County Middle School Bryson City | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bryson City | 1.9 mi | — |
| Mountain Discovery Bryson City | 2.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Swain County West Elementary Bryson City | 4.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Swain County East Elementary Bryson City | 3.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Smokey Mountain Elementary Whittier | 7.6 mi | 3.5 |
| NEW KITUWAH ACADEMY Cherokee | 9.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Cherokee Central Elementary School Cherokee | 10.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Cherokee Central High School Cherokee | 10.0 mi | — |
| Iotla Valley Elementary Franklin | 15.4 mi | 7.0 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylva | 15.4 mi | 6.2 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sylva | 14.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Nantahala School Topton | 16.7 mi | 7.5 |
| MACON MULTI-PURPOSE JUVENILE HOME Franklin | 18.0 mi | — |
| Jackson Co Early College Sylva | 15.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Pi Beta Phi Elementary Gatlinburg | 18.5 mi | 5.8 |
| East Franklin Elementary Franklin | 18.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Smoky Mountain High School Sylva | 15.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Catamount School Sylva | 15.9 mi | 8.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28713 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,368
Median Home Value
$231,300
Median Rent
$707/mo
Population
8,441
College Educated
25.1%
Homeownership
74.2%
Avg Commute
23.6 min
Poverty Rate
16.4%
Median Age
46.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Northeastern High Elizabeth City, NC | 5.3 |
| Reidsville High Reidsville, NC | 5.3 |
| THALES ACADEMY Rolesville, NC | 5.3 |
| Beddingfield High Wilson, NC | 5.4 |
| Bertie High Windsor, NC | 5.0 |
| Farmville Central High Farmville, NC | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Swain County High School
What grades does Swain County High School serve?
Swain County High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Swain County High School?
Swain County High School has an enrollment of approximately 559 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Swain County High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Swain County High School is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Swain County High School rank in NC?
Swain County High School ranks #1,925 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Swain County High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Swain County High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Swain County High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Swain County High School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Swain County High School a charter school?
No, Swain County High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Swain County High School a Title I school?
No, Swain County High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Swain County High School?
99.5% of students at Swain County High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 559
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Swain County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 58.5%
- Phone
- (828) 488-2152
- 4-Year Graduation
- 77.0%
Resources & Links
District
Swain County Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,897
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,518
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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